Court Cases
WAYNESBURG – A number of criminal defendants pleaded guilty this week and the week prior in Greene County Court.
Amnie Eugene Lawver, 56, of 28 Herman St., Uniontown; two cases, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering or fabricating evidence, flight to avoid apprehension, fleeing or attempting to elude police, resisting arrest; charges of possession with intent to deliver were withdrawn; on March 4, stopped by police, Lawver was in possession of eight bags of cocaine, hypodermic needles and cash; on March 6, he fled police and was observed throwing bags containing cocaine from the car window; 2 to 7 years in prison, $700 fine, forfeit $2,138.44.
David Joseph Shekerko, 42, of 114 Apple Alley, Mt. Morris; simple assault, fleeing or eluding police, driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest, driving while his operating privileges suspended or revoked, three summary violations; an aggravated assault charge was withdrawn; on Feb. 26, Shekerko failed to stop his vehicle for police; when apprehended, he fought with the officer; 1 to 5 years in jail, credit for time served between Feb. 26 and April 27; $1,475 in fines, 60 hours of community service.
Seth Branden Hillier, 28, of 54 First Ave., Crucible; possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia; on May 19, Hillier was arrested after picking up a package at the post office containing 552.34 grams of synthetic bath salts; sentence to follow preparation of a pre-sentencing report.
Andrew Christopher Martin, 40, of 1026 Price St. Hominy, Okla.; DUI, third offense in 10 years; three summary violations; arrested July 8, Martin had a blood alcohol content of 0.106 percent; 6 to 23 ½ months in jail, credit for 60 days served, $1,060 fine, 60 hours of community service.
Timothy David Cottle, 57, of 131 Pine St., Jefferson; DUI, second offense in 10 years, three summary violations; arrested Dec. 28, he had a BAC of 0.206 percent; 3 years county intermediate punishing, with 15 days in jail, 90 days of house arrest; 9 months of electronic alcohol monitoring, $1,575 in fines, 60 hours of community service.
Richard Allen Riley, 26, of 237 Washington St., Jefferson; theft; on Aug. 28, 2016, Riley took construction equipment from a house in Jefferson Township; 18 months of probation, $3,420.06 in restitution, 75 hours of community service.
Frank Michael Santucci III, 42, of 122 Second St., Clarksville; pleaded no contest to simple assault, harassment, criminal mischief; on June 10, Santucci struck his mother in the face five times; time served between June 10 and June 15 to 23 ½ months in jail; ordered to stay away from his mother.
Robert Marshall Uphold Jr., 52, of 411 Sherman Ave., Nemacolin; possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and an air pollution control ordinance; on Feb. 7, 2015, Cumberland Township police found drug paraphernalia at 220 Inwood Ave., Carmichaels. Uphold also slammed an officer’s hand in a toolbox drawer as police were searching through it. 2 years of probation.
Tammy Sue Walls, 46, of 9 Hazel St., Fairchance; pleaded no contest to flight to avoid apprehension, fleeing or attempting to elude police, 10 summary violations; on June 22, Walls failed to stop her vehicle for police who were attempting to arrest her on a warrant; 80 days to 23 ½ months in jail, credit for 80 days served; $2,500 in fines, 225 hours of community service.
Christine Ann Johnson, 37, of 642 Walnut Hill Road, Dilliner; disorderly conduct; a charge of furnishing alcohol to minors was withdrawn; on Jan. 2, police found several juveniles in her home, where she was present, who had consumed alcohol; 5 days in jail with credit for time served; $300 fine.
Rusty Shane Adams, 27, of 16 Grandview Ave., Waynesburg; driving while operating privileges suspended or revoked, two other summary violations; a charged of carrying a firearm without a license was withdrawn; on Feb. 13, Adams was stopped for speeding on Interstate 79; he had a firearm in his vehicle but no permit to conceal or carry a firearm; $468.50 in fines.
Michael Edward Phillips, 28, of 1549 Lantz St., Waynesburg; fleeing or attempting to elude police, 12 summary traffic violations; Phillips fled police Aug. 1 when they attempted to stop his vehicle in Waynesburg for a traffic violation; he also later fled from state police; 6 months to 2 years in jail, credit for 2 days served; $925 in fines.